Nissan is kicking off the preview week of the 2016 New York International Auto Show by looking into the future of mobility and discussing how emerging trends already are changing the way people get from place to place, especially in crowded urban environments.

“As large cities continue to grow into megacities globally, we need to better understand how transportation is changing and anticipate what transportation needs will look like in the future,” said Rachel Nguyen, director, Nissan Future Lab. “With the fast-paced growth of smart technologies and the emergence of the sharing economy, we are studying how this size and package of electric vehicle fits in real life customer situations.”

Based on the west coast, Nissan Future Lab was established in 2014 as an extension of Nissan’s global advanced planning group and looks decades ahead to identify potential issues and opportunities for the business today and into the future. Nissan Future Lab looks beyond products and examines the future of mobility in a wider sense. The group is inspired by rapid developments in automotive technology such as electric, autonomous and connected vehicles and trends like ride sharing.

“Urbanization and the growth of megacities – particularly in developing countries – is the biggest challenge facing the automotive industry,” added Nguyen. “It’s mind boggling to think there’s only about 10 megacities now and in 20 years there will be 30. Mobility is a major driving force central to how these megacities will develop.”

With their 7.6-foot length, the Nissan New Mobility Concept vehicles have the potential to help reduce pollution and traffic congestion in the city. Parking is also a major benefit, with three NNMCs able to fit head-in into one parking space (where permitted). For demonstration purposes in New York City, the four vehicles are wrapped in different primary colors with the hashtag #NissanFutureLab down the sides.

The NNMC is based on the Renault Twizy, which is currently available for sale in select European markets and will be offered in Canada beginning in summer 2016. The NNMC has been specially imported by Nissan for demonstration and testing purposes for the duration of this research project.

2 Comments

Hi I think that these concept mobility vehicles are part of the future, but my concern would be affordability? Many disabled people here in the UK are lets say at the poorer end of town? i suppose we will never know until well into the future? eric roberts http://www.batteriesontheweb/blog/

Does not appear to be winter friendly for Canadian climate. GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is serviced by GO Trains. Most clients park gasoline cars in the many Go Train Parking lots. Cold Weather starts of these gasoline cars is drenching the GTA in carcinogenic fumes. If Electric car chargers were provided , would the people of this area aquire these electrics and use them locally to reduce carcinogenic fumes and to save money? Can this be encouraged by making charges free?